Monday, May 02, 2011

How are we to feel about Osama Bin Laden's execution?

I found it relatively disturbing to see the western world be so verbosely jubilant over the news that Osama Bin Laden had been executed and his death confirmed by US government officials. It appeared to me that these scenes of triumphalism were mainly due to a huge sense of relief shared by millions around the world that the world's most wanted man finally got what he deserved for masterminding the deaths of many thousands of innocent people. The question, however, is how are we, as Christians, as people who believe that every human life is sacred, to feel about the death of a man that has desired nothing more than to bring Jihad to the western world and see infidels eradicated? A spokesman from the Vatican said this on Bin Laden's death earlier today:

“Faced with the death of a man, a Christian never rejoices, but reflects on the serious responsibility of each and every one of us before God and before man, and hopes and commits himself so that no event be an opportunity for further growth of hatred, but for peace.”

One should never take delight in the demise of another, no matter what they've done. One may feel vindicated or that justice has been served, but should never feel "glad" at another's death or punishment.

Pray for the soul of Osama Bin Laden; not to mourn him, but for God's mercy upon him and that he asks God's forgiveness for the evil he has committed during his earthly life.

Proudly Australian of Maltese descent

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About Me

I live in Perth, Western Australia, but was born in Melbourne, Victoria. I'm Australian by birth but my heritage stems from southern Europe, mainly the island country of Malta, the heart of the Mediterranean.
By profession I am a high-school teacher, specialising in Religious Education (Catholic) and English.
I have been teaching since 2005 but before that was a journalist. I still write the odd article from time to time.
I'm married with two children, and am looking forward to having more kids with my beautiful wife.